THE THRILLS OF SKIING

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE THRILLS OF SKIING

Voted by those who practise it as the king of all winter pastimes, the art of ski-ing (pronounce it “sheing”) has become firmly established in this country, in spite of the fact that the opportunities for indulging it are rather limited. Without a doubt, there’s a fascination about careering at the speed of an express train down steep snow-covered mountain slopes, or flying through the air on wooden wings, that is very much like flying itself for thrills. If you don’t mind burying your nose in a ten-foot snowdrift now and then, for the sake of the thrill of sailing around the snow country, you will vote this one of the most exciting sports in the world. It’s easy to learn, so the experts say—and, at any rate, the snow is soft (says a writer in The' Melbourne Age Junior). There’s an art in it, of course—an art which can be learnt only by patient practice, for all that it looks so easy to the onlooker. The knack of getting over the snow on the long wooden runners or skis is in itself easy to pick up, if you start off right, and at the end of an afternoon’s running you should be able to manage the skis fairly well. But the real thrill comes in ski jumping, if we are to believe the dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts who patronize the barren heights of Hotham and Kosciusko at the time of the year. Your first big ski jump is something never to be forgotten. For a moment you are poised at a giddy height, proud monarch of the vast snow-draped country you survey at your feet. Then you let go, and start gliding down the mountainside, as steep as a house roof. Faster, faster, rapidly gathering speed, you are soon skimming along at the speed of an aeroplane. It is a rare exhiliaration flashing down the white slope, the shrill song of the wind in your ears. Then you come to the take-off, an abrupt rise in the ground, and beyond it—nothing but empty space. For the fraction of a second you experience a terrific upward rush as you clear the take-off, that lifts you whistling through the air. For a second or so you seem to hang suspended in mid-air, with a great white expanse of snow apparently miles below. Then down, down you swoop like a frightened swallow. A brief second more and you land with a jolt that fairly shakes your teeth loose and drives the breath from your lungs, and you are enveloped in a great cloud of swirling, powdery snow. Over and over you roll in a most undignified fash-

ion, for only the experienced skier is able to make a landing without a fall.

The beginner at the game, as soon as he has got used to the long runners, that look to the novice the most awkward footgear ever invented, is always taught how to fall •correctly—that is, by relaxing every muscle in his body and letting himself go. Only by making no attempt to save himself will he be quite safe from straining a muscle. It isn’t quite as easy as it sounds 1 Once the novice has reached the stage where he can negotiate little things like fences and tree stumps, it is time to learn the “Christiania swing,” “telemark-turn,” “stem turn,” “herringboning,” “swings,” and a few other little tricks, all of which go to make a finished skier.

Ski-ing, we are told, is the oldest known of all winter sports. The Finns, inhabitants of the far northern Baltic lands, seem to have been the first at it, and their neighbours, the Norwegians and the Swedes, copied it from them, but not until thirty years or so ago did it take on in other European countries. Now Switzerland is the “headquarters” of the sport, and it is here, in the heart of the Alps, that the great international ski championship is held.

Power Board Scheme.

The voting on the sale or retention of the'Monowai power scheme closes on September 28. This week the Minister of Finance and Mr S. Rice (representing the Board) were heard in a broadcast debate on the proposal, the Minister speaking in favour of the sale and Mr Rice in favour of retention. Not only the people of Southland but those in other parts of New Zealand listened in to the debate.

Spain’s Troubles.

The latest development in the Spanish civil war is the discovery of a plot to assassinate President Azana and a number of other prominent Government officials. The alleged ringleader is Manuel Mateo, a former Communist who is now a Fascist leader. The war has continued with unabated vigour, the reports of a possible truce having proved groundless. Atrocities are still being committed and the horrors of the conflict are reminiscent of barbarous times.

McMahon’s Trial.

George Andrew McMahon, who was arrested on July 23 for flourishing a revolver as the King rode past was tried this week at the Old Bailey. He was found guilty of the charge of wilfully producing a pistol near His Majesty’s person and was sentenced to twelve month’s imprisonment. He told a story of being bribed by the German Embassy to kill the King but the truth of this statement is very much doubted.